Look Sunday’s Newspapers for the Names of Thousands Of Individuals With Hot Check Warrants

Arrest roundups to follow publication of the names

On Sunday April 26, 2009, the El Paso County Attorney's Office will be publishing the names of more than 3,700 individuals with outstanding hot-check warrants in the two main local newspapers:El Paso Times and Diario de El Paso. The 3,770 individuals owe local merchants more than $3.2 million. Additionally, copies of the printed list will be made available for the public at all El Paso Police Regional Commands starting on Monday April 27, 2009.

The publication of the names marks the start of the Amnesty Week, which runs from Monday April 27 through Friday May 1, 2009. Individuals who pay their outstanding balances during the Amnesty Week will avoid arrests during an upcoming county-wide arrest warrant round-up. Additionally, they will save money by avoiding the payment of various fees, such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond.

Residents with outstanding hot check warrants can make their payments at the El Paso County Attorney's Office, 5th floor of the County Courthouse, 500 E. San Antonio. The payment windows at the County Attorney's Office will be operating with extended hours during amnesty week from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Forms of payment accepted include most credit cards, money orders, cashiers checks, and cash, however those paying cash will have to bring the exact amount (cashiers will not provide change).

For more information regarding hot check payments and balances please contact the El Paso County Attorney's Office Hot Check Unit at 546-2051. The complete and updated list of individuals with theft by check outstanding warrants will remain posted in the El Paso County web site at: www.epcounty.com/ca

Since Thursday April 9, 2009, when the amnesty week was announced, the El Paso County Attorney's Office has received more than $42,000 in payments for outstanding hot checks. During fiscal year 2007-2008 the Hot Check Unit collected 1.4 million dollars in outstanding hot checks.